How to Avoid Ticks and Lyme Disease This Summer

Summer is the season that so many of us look forward to for a variety of reasons. It’s a great time of year to get outside for fun in the sun, swimming, and even long hikes. If you’re the outdoorsy type then you know firsthand that there are so many wonderful things to do when the weather warms up. Along with all of the great times though comes certain concerns such as the many pesky bugs that can spoil a good time. Adding to that concern is the necessity to avoid ticks and Lyme disease since it appears to be on the rise. Though this can be a very scary health condition, there are certain steps that you can take to avoid these becoming a reality for you.

Though this is not a new condition or a new concern, you are hearing about more and more people suffering with this very real health condition. We know that when you are in an outdoor environment exposed to ticks, such as the woods, then you are at risk.

Summer is the ideal time for ticks to be a problem as there is an increase of people out camping, hiking, and generally enjoying the outdoors. Knowing that ticks can be an issue there are certain steps that you want to take to avoid them and to keep yourself safe from any harm. Being in tune to these and then working to protect yourself can ensure that you still have a good time outside, but not without any potential risks.

It’s true that this is a scary condition to live with, but being proactive and doing your part to avoid ticks and Lyme disease is what it’s all about. If you follow these steps and you are proactive in looking for them and trying to stay free from them, then you can ensure that this doesn’t become a reality for you or any of your loved ones.

Use insect repellant, especially in a woodsy environment: This is an absolute must when it comes to ticks or even mosquitoes. When you are in the environment where insects or ticks in particular are plentiful, then you absolutely need to apply insect repellant to any skin that is exposed. Though you may not like the smell of it or worry about the potential risks, you can’t avoid this if you want to stay free of ticks. Spray and reapply when you are in the outdoor environment, just as you would apply sunscreen when you’re out in the hot summer sun. Find a good one and if at all possible opt for one that is specific for ticks, but remember to apply often so that you are constantly protected.

Wear long sleeves and long pants to cover up: Though this may not sound ideal, if you are outdoors in the woods or especially at night you need to do this. If you want to avoid ticks and Lyme disease then keep your skin covered so as to avoid ticks burrowing in. Though ticks can jump onto clothing, it’s much less likely that you are going to get infected if you are wearing protective clothing. Try to cover up your arms and legs which are the most commonly affected area. Even wearing a hat can help, so just remember that any exposed skin is a potential area for ticks to jump onto—safety first is always best in this capacity!

Check yourself, your kids, and your pets before you come inside: Early detection is the most important thing when it comes to Lyme disease specifically. To take that one step further, you don’t want to just assume that you’re safe and free of ticks if you wore repellant and covered up your skin. Take the time to do a thorough check of any and all areas before you head indoors. Ticks have been known to live on eyes, in unusual places on the body, and even in the mouth. When you get into light or before you head in for the night, check your kids, yourself, and even your pets to ensure that the coast is clear.

Remove ticks if you see them and know the symptoms: They are small but can create a big problem and if you see a tick on the skin then remove it quickly. Use tweezers and as you check your skin do remember that they are small, so you have to be really thorough. Don’t panic if you find a tick and remove it, but know that where you find one there may be others. In a really proactive measure be sure that as you work to ticks and Lyme disease you know what the early symptoms are. If you suffer from a high fever or unusual rash all of a sudden in the middle of summer, then get checked out. Being on the lookout and doing your part to manage the risks is how to keep you and your family safe.